The Ministry of Education is planning to have Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam certificates picked from Ministry sub-county directors of education offices rather than schools.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba told Members of Parliament that he wants the issuance of KCSE certificates removed from schools after it emerged that principals defy directives not to withhold the papers.

This development comes amid growing pressure from MPs for the government to compel school heads to release certificates being withheld over unpaid school fees.

The CS ordered all schools to immediately release the KNEC certificates, including the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) certificates, that have been withheld from students who have completed their exams.

Speaking on Monday, March 17, Migos stated that schools have no right to withhold students’ certificates, describing the practice as illegal and against the law.

He emphasised that no student should be denied access to their documents due to financial struggles terming it an illegality.

Many schools in Kenya withhold certificates because of unpaid school fees.

Migos had instructed county education directors to investigate the situation and submit a full report within 14 days to ensure that schools comply with the directive.

The CS urged school principals and headteachers to comply immediately and warned of serious action against those who fail to release the certificates.

Despite Ogamba’s directive last week instructing schools to release all withheld certificates unconditionally, MPs questioned its effectiveness, noting that similar directives by previous education ministers had been largely ignored.

“What will make this directive different from past ones that were never enforced?” Tinderet MP Julius Melly, who also chairs the Education Committee, asked.

School heads have argued that institutions are owed over Sh20 billion in unpaid fees, making it difficult to release the certificates without financial implications.

In 2019, then Education CS George Magoha suggested that only students genuinely unable to pay should have their certificates released unconditionally, while those capable of clearing their arrears should be required to do so.

He even proposed listing defaulters with Credit Reference Bureaus (CRBs) as a means of enforcing payment.

However MPs then faulted Magoha’s plan as punitive.

Ogamba however did not clarify whether this new certificate issuance policy will apply to students under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), who will receive certificates at the end of junior secondary (Grade 9) and senior secondary (Grade 12).

Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Chief Executive Officer Nancy Macharia  has also previously issued directives to all school heads to release the certificates.

In past years, many students and parents have struggled due to withheld certificates.

Without these documents, most students cannot continue their studies, while others are unable to apply for jobs.

Migos stated that the government is fully committed to ensuring that all learners in the country receive equal treatment and are not penalised for lacking school fees.

This comes after many parents and students raised these concerns with the government.

School fees have largely been the main contributing factor to schools withholding certificates.

Some school heads, on the other hand, argue that fee arrears affect the running of schools, making it difficult to provide resources for other students.

This directive will help many students who have been waiting for years to receive their certificates and move forward with their education and careers.

The Ministry of Education is planning to have Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam certificates picked from Ministry sub-county directors of education offices rather than schools.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba told Members of Parliament that he wants the issuance of KCSE certificates removed from schools after it emerged that principals defy directives not to withhold the papers.

This development comes amid growing pressure from MPs for the government to compel school heads to release certificates being withheld over unpaid school fees.

The CS ordered all schools to immediately release the KNEC certificates, including the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) certificates, that have been withheld from students who have completed their exams.

Speaking on Monday, March 17, Migos stated that schools have no right to withhold students’ certificates, describing the practice as illegal and against the law.

He emphasised that no student should be denied access to their documents due to financial struggles terming it an illegality.

Many schools in Kenya withhold certificates because of unpaid school fees.

Migos had instructed county education directors to investigate the situation and submit a full report within 14 days to ensure that schools comply with the directive.

The CS urged school principals and headteachers to comply immediately and warned of serious action against those who fail to release the certificates.

Despite Ogamba’s directive last week instructing schools to release all withheld certificates unconditionally, MPs questioned its effectiveness, noting that similar directives by previous education ministers had been largely ignored.

“What will make this directive different from past ones that were never enforced?” Tinderet MP Julius Melly, who also chairs the Education Committee, asked.

School heads have argued that institutions are owed over Sh20 billion in unpaid fees, making it difficult to release the certificates without financial implications.

In 2019, then Education CS George Magoha suggested that only students genuinely unable to pay should have their certificates released unconditionally, while those capable of clearing their arrears should be required to do so.

He even proposed listing defaulters with Credit Reference Bureaus (CRBs) as a means of enforcing payment.

However MPs then faulted Magoha’s plan as punitive.

Ogamba however did not clarify whether this new certificate issuance policy will apply to students under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), who will receive certificates at the end of junior secondary (Grade 9) and senior secondary (Grade 12).

Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Chief Executive Officer Nancy Macharia  has also previously issued directives to all school heads to release the certificates.

In past years, many students and parents have struggled due to withheld certificates.

Without these documents, most students cannot continue their studies, while others are unable to apply for jobs.

Migos stated that the government is fully committed to ensuring that all learners in the country receive equal treatment and are not penalised for lacking school fees.

This comes after many parents and students raised these concerns with the government.

School fees have largely been the main contributing factor to schools withholding certificates.

Some school heads, on the other hand, argue that fee arrears affect the running of schools, making it difficult to provide resources for other students.

This directive will help many students who have been waiting for years to receive their certificates and move forward with their education and careers.